Most face masks don't expose wearers to harmful levels of PFAS, study
says

Date:
March 30, 2022
Source:
American Chemical Society
Summary:
Face masks are important for slowing the spread of COVID-19 and
protecting against smoke. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
are added to many products to repel fluids, but their presence in
face masks hasn't been thoroughly studied. Now, researchers have
found that most face masks tested contain low or negligible levels
of PFAS, except for one marketed to firefighters, which could pose
health risks in certain situations.



FULL STORY ==========================================================================
Face masks are important for slowing the spread of COVID-19 and protecting against smoke. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are added to
many products to repel fluids, but their presence in face masks hasn't
been thoroughly studied. Now, researchers reporting in ACS' Environmental Science & Technology Letters found that most face masks tested contain
low or negligible levels of PFAS, except for one marketed to firefighters, which could pose health risks in certain situations.


========================================================================== Manufacturers design face masks to not only prevent inhalation of
particles and pathogens but also to repel fluids, so some companies could
be adding PFAS coatings to their products. During the current pandemic,
people have been wearing face masks for long periods, which could expose
them to PFAS through inhalation, skin exposure or accidental ingestion. In addition, used masks end up in landfills, where the compounds might
leach out into the environment. Ivan Titaley at Oregon State University
and colleagues wanted to measure PFAS in different types of face masks
and analyze the implications for human exposure and the environment.

The researchers used mass spectrometry to measure nonvolatile and
volatile PFAS in nine types of face masks: one surgical, one N95,
six reusable cloth and a heat-resistant fabric mask advertised to
firefighters. Surgical and N95 masks had the lowest levels, whereas the firefighting mask had the highest amount.

Next, the team estimated the dose of PFAS that could cause health problems
from chronic exposure, based on prior animal studies. According to the calculations, regular wear of the surgical, N95 and cloth masks would
not pose a risk.

However, the higher PFAS levels in the firefighter mask exceeded the dose considered safe, but only when worn for a full day (10 hours) at a high activity level, such as exercising or working in ways that boost the
wearer's respiration. Next, the researchers analyzed the environmental
impact of PFAS from surgical and N95 masks (which comprise over 99% of
masks discarded in landfills). They estimated that even if everyone in
the U.S. over age 5 threw away one mask per day (90 billion masks per
year), masks would be only a minor source of PFAS in landfill leachates
and domestic water.

According to the researchers, this study should encourage the public to continue wearing face masks, especially during a pandemic. It could also
help people make informed decisions about what type of masks to wear
and encourage manufacturers to consider the chemicals used in masks,
they explain.

The authors acknowledge funding or support from the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, Environmental Protection
Agency, Department of Agriculture and the North Carolina Policy
Collaboratory.


========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by American_Chemical_Society. Note:
Content may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Derek J. Muensterman, Liliana Cahuas, Ivan A. Titaley, Christopher
Schmokel, Florentino B. De la Cruz, Morton A. Barlaz, Courtney C.

Carignan, Graham F. Peaslee, Jennifer A. Field. Per- and
Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Facemasks: Potential Source
of Human Exposure to PFAS with Implications for Disposal to
Landfills. Environmental Science & Technology Letters, 2022; DOI:
10.1021/acs.estlett.2c00019 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/03/220330103215.htm

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